Report: Mental issues, desperation cited in murder/suicide

Published: Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 10:06 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 10:06 p.m.

The final report in the recent murder/suicide case involving an elderly couple states that the woman died of strangulation and the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot.

According to the couple's son, his mother, Bronwyn "Bonnie" Wilcox, who would have turned 81 on Wednesday, had a long history of mental health issues.

Longtime friends of the couple said they saw them recently and it appeared Bronwyn Wilcox was "off her medication" and Harold Wilcox's face "was of desperation."

Harold Wilcox was 80. His body and that of his wife were found inside their Oak Run home Sunday by neighbors.

Marion County Sheriff's Office Detective Bobby Levay stated in his report that Harold Wilcox killed his wife then committed suicide. The Medical Examiner's Office ruled that she died from manual strangulation and he died from a gunshot wound to the upper body.

Neighbors Kenneth and Sylvia Spicer told Levay they got a call from Harold Wilcox around 10 a.m. Sunday asking if they were going to church. When they got home from church, they found a box containing several notes in separate envelopes in their garage. One note talked about how and when Harold Wilcox killed his wife, another had instructions about maintaining the residence and a third contained gift cards and coupons, the garage door opener and a key to the Wilcox's home.

The Spicers went to the home and found the bodies, then called 911.

On Tuesday, Levay interviewed Bob and Carol White, who said they had known the couple for about 20 years and that Mrs. Wilcox had mental issues. They said they went to dinner with the Wilcoxes on Feb. 27 and that she seemed to be off her medication due to her behavior. They said Harold Wilcox's face "was of desperation," according to reports.

The Wilcoxes' son told the detective his mother had a lengthy history of mental health issues and would be violent toward his father.

Officials said Mrs. Wilcox was taken for mental health treatment last month under the Baker Act after deputies were called to the couple's home because she became violent and was destroying items.

Capt. James Pogue, who has been a district commander for the State Road 200 corridor where Oak Run is located, said the community is tight knit, where everyone knows and cares for each other.

"Oak Run is a great community, where neighbor checks on neighbor, know each other by name, help each other, and they have clubs and a community center. I'm sure it's a shock to them, as to everyone else, that this occurred," Pogue said.

<p>The final report in the recent murder/suicide case involving an elderly couple states that the woman died of strangulation and the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot.</p><p>According to the couple's son, his mother, Bronwyn "Bonnie" Wilcox, who would have turned 81 on Wednesday, had a long history of mental health issues.</p><p>Longtime friends of the couple said they saw them recently and it appeared Bronwyn Wilcox was "off her medication" and Harold Wilcox's face "was of desperation."</p><p>Harold Wilcox was 80. His body and that of his wife were found inside their Oak Run home Sunday by neighbors.</p><p>Marion County Sheriff's Office Detective Bobby Levay stated in his report that Harold Wilcox killed his wife then committed suicide. The Medical Examiner's Office ruled that she died from manual strangulation and he died from a gunshot wound to the upper body.</p><p>Neighbors Kenneth and Sylvia Spicer told Levay they got a call from Harold Wilcox around 10 a.m. Sunday asking if they were going to church. When they got home from church, they found a box containing several notes in separate envelopes in their garage. One note talked about how and when Harold Wilcox killed his wife, another had instructions about maintaining the residence and a third contained gift cards and coupons, the garage door opener and a key to the Wilcox's home.</p><p>The Spicers went to the home and found the bodies, then called 911.</p><p>On Tuesday, Levay interviewed Bob and Carol White, who said they had known the couple for about 20 years and that Mrs. Wilcox had mental issues. They said they went to dinner with the Wilcoxes on Feb. 27 and that she seemed to be off her medication due to her behavior. They said Harold Wilcox's face "was of desperation," according to reports.</p><p>The Wilcoxes' son told the detective his mother had a lengthy history of mental health issues and would be violent toward his father.</p><p>Officials said Mrs. Wilcox was taken for mental health treatment last month under the Baker Act after deputies were called to the couple's home because she became violent and was destroying items.</p><p>Capt. James Pogue, who has been a district commander for the State Road 200 corridor where Oak Run is located, said the community is tight knit, where everyone knows and cares for each other.</p><p>"Oak Run is a great community, where neighbor checks on neighbor, know each other by name, help each other, and they have clubs and a community center. I'm sure it's a shock to them, as to everyone else, that this occurred," Pogue said.</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>